1.
Imagineering India
Driving value based opportunities with India forward…
Insightful Advice – Considered Strategy – Execution Leadership
I believe that…
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I believe that:
India, an ancient and continuous civilization with an illustrious past, a
colorful democracy today, full of hope and with a promise of contributory
and valuable World Citizenship; is stridently and justifiably in search of
Her rightful place in the World at large.
She is increasingly restless and resentful of the performance laxity,
governance deficit and unabated and unabashed self-interest and
Darwinist mediocrity of Her ruling-class, an anathema to a just and
happy nationhood; a painful reminder of her experience from the
mercantilist occupiers from the pre-independence era. Though the actors
have changed, the extractionist and exploitative experience of the citizen
seems to continue, albeit in different shades and forms!
An aspiring citizenry, much peace-loving as they may be, may not be
trusted to remain cooperative, harmonious and hopeful; essential requisites
for sustainable development and peaceful-coexistence, in the climate of
prolonged and continuing failure of the promised actualization, the present

2.
Imagineering India
Driving value based opportunities with India forward…
Insightful Advice – Considered Strategy – Execution Leadership
day reality of the country.
A country is essentially a composite of people with shared history, values,
culture, dreams, aspirations and mutual-brotherhood, a civil and social
compact of togetherness and shared destiny with an implicit promise to
pursue individual fulfillment within the civic boundaries of defined social
cooperation, spirit of neighborhood and trusteeship.
Citizens are the primary construct and definition of a country, a citizenry
with equity in the collective destiny, and all that comes with it, for all
seasons.
Political leadership collectively represent the composite dreams, interest
and common agenda mandated by the citizenry, and they alone rightfully
represent, guard, architect and execute on the vision and promise to the
citizenry.
The collective and composite vision of the nation is enshrined into a
compact via the constitution; held in trusteeship and acted upon in good
faith, applying all available resources under stoic and transparent
governance by the elected political leadership, on behalf of the citizen.
Democracy by definition affords individual faith, freedom, dreams,
pursuit of fulfillment and diversity; but retains the sanctity of the
collective compact, where majority wins the argument of the day. Whilst
the alternates are legitimate, realistic and do enjoy the freedom of
expression, majority view ought to be respected in a civil and working
democracy.

3.
Imagineering India
Driving value based opportunities with India forward…
Insightful Advice – Considered Strategy – Execution Leadership
I argue that:
Political Leadership elected in a democracy, enters into a binding and
irrevocable social contract with citizenry on the basis of declared manifesto.
Whilst operational adjustments and priorities on the basis of execution
realities may be selectively, openly and transparently justified, case-by-
case; structural deviation may not be embarked upon without a clear
referendum or citizen’s mandate.
A country ought not be weak or subservient to fads, diktat and unjust
expectations of any externalities beyond the principles of universal and
natural rights of pluralism, coexistence, acceptance and harmonious
neighborhood. If called for a choice, citizen’s interest & the compact must
take precedence over any externalities in a social contract.
Politician under the social contract; abiding by the tenet of truth, honesty,
unselfish frugality, transparency, integrity, trusteeship; tenaciously
employs the available resources, to the best of their collective abilities, in the
interest of the citizen and associated planned initiatives; well
communicated in time to the citizenry; supported by and integrated with
declared and admissible score card, regular monitoring and reporting,
conducted via professional & competent governance, best practices and
open & independent audit.
The resources, instruments and the personnel employed in the delivery of
the Citizen’s mandate ought to be subject to meritocracy, performance
standards and expected & agreed outcome; in the processes of selection,
execution and measurement; with commensurate and demonstrable risk /
rewards architecture.

4.
Imagineering India
Driving value based opportunities with India forward…
Insightful Advice – Considered Strategy – Execution Leadership
In the arena of public resources and trusteeship, professional management
practice ought to be vigilant, awake, constantly active and totally
transparent. Private and personal discretions may not be justified within
public endowment.
In a democracy, it is imperative that the Institution of Law, the upholder
of the constitution is totally and demonstrably independent of the polity
and execution instruments, and the administration of the law is subject to
and reports to the Institution of Law. Political majority may bring about
changes to the constitution by the defined process set within the
Constitution, but then defers to the Institution of Law to oversee and
administer the enshrined Constitution. I would argue that, personal
freedom and choices such as faith ought to be equitable and honor the
constitution in a democracy, and be sub-judice.
Perceived and actual conflicts of interest in the entire process ought to be
judiciously avoided, at all times. If ever there is any doubt, it is advisable
to err on the side of caution vs. any imagined short-term benefit or the
wisdom of few; for when one is dealing with the issues of public trust,
resources and custodianship, nothing is more sacrosanct than the sanctity,
integrity and accountability, at all levels and at all times.
Anything susceptible to human frailties, will eventually and invariably
fall into the realm of self or cabalistic instinct and interest without
independent audit, monitoring and assertive and transparent corrective
process.
Institutional integrity, commensurate authority with accountability and

5.
Imagineering India
Driving value based opportunities with India forward…
Insightful Advice – Considered Strategy – Execution Leadership
meritocratic resourcing ought to be the key tenets in organizing various
instruments and functions in the delivery mechanism; be it legal, defense,
police, administrative (bureaucratic), regulatory, fiscal or other
operational functions.
I would argue that, duly qualified and appropriately experienced people
ought to be employed for the specific functions, selected via open, fair and
competitive processes, with clear mandate, goals, measurement metrics and
compensation architecture, administered without favor or prejudice, in
accordance with the market principles and best practices. Within this
context, I would strongly argue that, several of the inherited instruments,
institutions and practices, currently engaged are way past their use-by-
date and effectiveness, and over due for critical review on the basis of
performance and value delivered, hence relevance.
Whilst it was strongly and possibly justifiably argued for the continuity
and existence of some of these instrumentalities from the pre-independence
colonial date, in particular on the basis of under-prepared citizenry during
transition immediately after independence; we ought to strongly question
the performance, value delivered and present relevance of the same today,
in light of the mismatch that exists and continues between the promise,
potential and reality of Independent India.
History amply demonstrates that, bigger governments and governmental
insert and control of activities, not expressly suited or fit-for-purpose
towards the best possible outcome, such as industrial production and
business, has always resulted in suboptimal outcome, resources grab by
connected few and waste; examples of oligarchy or crony capitalism.

6.
Imagineering India
Driving value based opportunities with India forward…
Insightful Advice – Considered Strategy – Execution Leadership
Excessive centralization often drives opaque and unfair accumulation
without merit, argumentative entitlement, tribal self-interest and possibly
dynastic darwinsim.

7.
Imagineering India
Driving value based opportunities with India forward…
Insightful Advice – Considered Strategy – Execution Leadership
I wonder:
If the time has come for the argument of “India for All Indians First &
Foremost”?
If we are smart enough to realize that, only together, can we realize our
best potential and sustain it?
Isn’t self-good integrally embedded in Greater-good?
Isn’t the path and the choices we make along the journey (experience) the
only relevance and real choice vs. goal / destination (state)?
Isn’t the joy of life is in participation, cooperation and contribution vs.
accumulation?
Isn’t it a fact that life begins and ends, but then the show goes on and we
only leave memories behind?